Del Monte Fresh Produce Vegetable Trays Linked to Second Outbreak in Less Than a Year
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is inspecting a Del Monte Fresh Produce facility in Kankakee, IL, after the Wisconsin Department of Health linked vegetable trays from that facility to a Salmonella Infantis outbreak.
The vegetable trays—sold at Kwik Trip convenience stores in Wisconsin and Minnesota—are the source of four illnesses in those states (three in WI; one in MN). The foodborne illness victims became sick between April 13–27, 2019. Kwik Trip has voluntarily removed the Del Monte vegetable trays from their stores. Those affected products, which the Wisconsin Department of Health has warned consumers not to eat, include:
- Del Monte Vegetable Tray (containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip) 6 oz.
- Del Monte Vegetable Tray (containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip) 12 oz.
According to FDA, this current outbreak is not associated with last year’s Cyclospora outbreak that was also associated with Del Monte Fresh Produce vegetable trays. That outbreak, occurring throughout summer 2018, involved vegetable trays that contained fresh broccoli, cauliflower, celery sticks, carrots, and dill dip. The trays were sold to various retailers, including Kwik Trip convenience stores, throughout the midwest. By early September 2018, FDA had confirmed 250 laboratory-confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection. Despite last year’s outbreak, the investigation did not identify a single source or potential point of contamination for any of the items that comprised the recalled vegetable trays. That traceback investigation is complete.
FDA, along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health authorities in Wisconsin and Minnesota continue to investigate the cause and source of the current Salmonella Infantis outbreak.
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